Pat Robertson Supports Marijuana Legalization
The infamous right-wing Christian Pat Robertson, who has blamed natural disasters on gay people, supports marijuana legalization, according to a Raw Story report. Robertson recently explained his views on drug law reform on his “700 Club” television show. “I’m … I’m not exactly for the use of drugs, don’t get me wrong, but I just believe that criminalizing marijuana, criminalizing the possession of a few ounces of pot, that kinda thing it’s just, it’s costing us a fortune and it’s ruining young people,” Roberson said. “Young people go into prisons, they go in as youths and come out as hardened criminals. That’s not a good thing.” Robertson reportedly showed support for faith-driven initiatives aimed at drug offenders and conservative drug law reform groups.
No Lame Duck for Christmas
President Obama won considerable victories in Congress during the latest session, according to The Hill. “Don’t ask, don’t tell” was recently repealed; the Senate ratified the new Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty with Russia to control nuclear weapons; and Obama struck a historic deal with Republicans that led to the passage of a tax-cut compromise bill that extended unemployment benefits and tax cuts for all Americans. Obama may escape the “lame duck” label after all.
EPA Intervenes in Texas
Tensions between the state of Texas and the federal government hit a boiling point this week in a feud over greenhouse gas emissions, according to The New York Times. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) claims that Texas in not properly regulating emissions from power plants and refineries, and on January 2 the agency will step in to regulated emissions based on new mandates issued to Texas. The state’s authorities are challenging the mandates in court.
Activist Protesting Gaza Wall Could Serve Time
Israeli activist Jonathan Pollack could be sent to prison for three to six months for participating in a Critical Mass bike ride in protest of Israel’s treatment of Palestinians on the Gaza strip, according to activist’s reports. About 30 people participated in the bicycle protest in Tel Aviv against the “siege” of Gaza. Police reportedly picked out Pollack as an organizer, and his arrest was not based on a particular behavior. Pollack could be sent to prison on December 27 for supporting an unlawful assembly.
Defying Trump’s right-wing agenda from Day One
Inauguration Day is coming up soon, and at Truthout, we plan to defy Trump’s right-wing agenda from Day One.
Looking to the first year of Trump’s presidency, we know that the most vulnerable among us will be harmed. Militarized policing in U.S. cities and at the borders will intensify. The climate crisis will deteriorate further. The erosion of free speech has already begun, and we anticipate more attacks on journalism.
It will be a terrifying four years to produce social justice-driven journalism. But we’re not falling to despair, because we know there are reasons to believe in our collective power.
The stories we publish at Truthout are part of the antidote to creeping authoritarianism. And this year, we promise we will kick into an even higher gear to give you truthful news that cuts against the disinformation, vitriol, hate and violence. We promise to publish analyses that will serve the needs of the movements we all rely on to survive the next four years, and even build for the future. We promise to be responsive, to recognize you as members of our community with a vital stake and voice in this work.
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